8 months.

Olivia is 8 months today.  It is amazing and so exiting.  I already miss my little baby but I am loving my big baby now.  She is learning so fast and so much.  Everything is going as it should and she is healthy, funny, smart, and the sweetest-coolest little person in the world.  I adore her and can't think of my life without her anymore.  Everything is just so much better!

Congratulations Olivia!!!!!! Te amo!!!!

Flink!

Flink is a Norwegian word that means clever, bright, good at something.  It is a fantastic word, and it is very used.  People are very good (flink!) at letting you know if they think you are good at something, and it is a nice boost of confidence when you receive such a compliment!  So, this is a post for my mother in law Nina, who is the "flinkest" and fastest knitter I know!  I had bought some cotton yarn in hopes of knitting Olivia a summer sweater to take to Costa Rica.  Then I realized I would probably not finish it on time since I had already taken on many other projects due Christmas!   So I asked Nina if she could help me out.  That was less than a week ago.  And look!

Tusen takk Nina! Du er så utrolig flink!  Genseren er perfekt og den skal passe en stund!

Vi er glade i deg, Dani og Olivia <3

By the way...

For those who don't know, I have another blog that I've neglected for the longest time, but now I'm back on track!  Check it out! It is about the non-baby related stuff!  Sort of a playground/dream cloud/brainstorming space/recipe archive/etc!

I want it all, so what?

Feliz cumpleaños mami. Te amo.

It's my mommy's birthday today, so I'm gonna have to write this post in Spanish,  it's what come's from the heart. 

 

Mami, espero que pasés un día muy especial.  En menos de un mes ya no volvemos a ver y podemos celebrar en persona.  Solo te quería decir y recordar lo mucho que te amo y lo mucho que aprendo de vos cada día.  Para mí, no hay mejor mamá en el mundo, y soy la mamá que soy gracias a vos.  Me enseñaste a dar amor, a que los besos y abrazos nunca sobran, a que uno es más que mamá, es compañera, y una compañera para toda la vida.  Espero ser eso para Olivia como vos lo has sido para mí.  Te amamos con todo el corazón.

Y ahora un regalito:

No, no, no, no!

I have never used that word as much as these past few days.  Since Olivia starter "dragging" herself all around the apartment, it's like a whoooole new can or worms was opened! She wants the fireplace, the cables, Rafa's food, the edge of the sofa, and anything that looks dangerous or dirty!  It is a lot of fun thought (for now).

The chair's leg.

"Ah?"

the fireplace!

"Ahí no Olivia! A la chimemea no!" (not there Olivia, not the fireplace!)

An on to some other interesting spot.

By the way, did you notice the gorgeous bloomers she's wearing???? I MADE THEM!!! hi hi.  From Lotta Jansdotter's book, Simple Sewing for Baby.  They are so cute!  And the sweater still fits!!

Out in the snow.

December!

It's already December.  Christmas is only 23 days away!  Olivia's first Christmas!  Today I read a pretty convenient post at Hank and Lucy's regarding the subject of gift giving for the little ones.  Because it is something to think about.  I think, that there should be limits as how many toys they get.  I think part of the magic of Christmas is appreciating that special thing you have wished for a long time.  And if you get EVERYTHING you wish for, then, where is the magic??  So, as Celia wrote on her post, and I agree 100%, 3 or 4 gifts from the parents (as soon as they grow a bit more and can wish for things, before then, there is really no point, right?) is more than enough, but one of the girls commenting said:

Donna said: A friend who is a mum told me that she follows this rule for gifts for her kids: something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read. I think it's a pretty perfect guide! :)

I think it's a great way to live by on these kind of things.  Of course, my daughter is only 7.5 months and I have no clue about how things will turn out once she starts asking for things, but, I think, when you plan ahead and have an idea of what you want for your kids, it's easier to follow, instead of improvising as it comes.  But that's me.  So, for us (Jonas and I), this is a great idea.  For the rest of the family: as long as it's not over the top and excessive (and not too pink or "princessy", please!!!), they can give what they want :)